Srinagar, Oct 23: The Congress and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday declared full support for the National Conference in Friday’s Rajya Sabha elections, describing the decision as a “principled step” to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party from gaining ground.
Addressing a press briefing, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee President Tariq Hameed Karra said the decision was taken after detailed consultations with the party’s central leadership and internal deliberations over the past two days.
“We have taken this stand after considering the sensitivities of our region and our identity as a secular, democratic force,” Karra said. “We have chosen to set aside our differences with the National Conference to uphold the larger values we represent.”
Karra said that while the Congress had earlier expressed displeasure over NC’s approach to seat-sharing within the alliance, the party ultimately decided to “rise above political friction” and prioritise the broader national challenge of countering the BJP.
“Rajya Sabha elections this time have posed a moral test. We want the NC to stay united against any external pressure, and we extend our support for that cause,” he said.
Stating that the Congress’s fight was not limited to Jammu and Kashmir, Karra said the decision reflected the party’s national commitment to defending India’s secular ethos. “Our strength may not be in numbers, but it lies in standing for what is right. We are guided by moral uprightness, not expediency,” he said.
Karra said that all six Congress legislators participated in the discussions and unanimously backed the move. “A formal whip has been issued to our MLAs to vote for the National Conference candidates in the Rajya Sabha elections,” he said.
He also praised NC candidate Shammi Oberoi for his positive role in maintaining dialogue between the two parties. “Mr. Shammi Oberoi’s approach helped turn negotiations into mutual understanding and differences into dialogue,” Karra said, adding that two formal communications addressed to NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah would soon be made public.
Karra said the decision should be viewed as part of a larger political effort to safeguard Jammu and Kashmir’s plural character. “We ignored the past treatment from our ally for the greater cause of unity and the collective good of the people,” he said.
With Congress’s six votes secured, the NC-led alliance now appears poised to comfortably win three of the four Upper House seats when the voting takes place on Friday.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti also said that her party will extend support to the National Conference (NC) candidate as a third preference in the Rajya Sabha elections to ensure that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not gain a seat.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mehbooba said the ongoing Assembly session had started on a constructive note but added that several pending issues concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir require urgent consideration.
Speaking about the Rajya Sabha polls, Mehbooba said that the PDP has decided to give its three votes to the NC’s third candidate, Shammi Oberoi. “Our intention is clear, we do not want the BJP to win a seat and our votes will go to the NC candidate as the third preference,” she said.
Mehbooba also spoke about the bill concerning daily wage employees, saying that thousands of workers from departments such as PHE, R&B, Irrigation, Health, and Education have been serving for 20 to 25 years without being regularised.
She said that the PDP’s bill seeks to grant them permanent status and financial security, and urged the NC to help in getting it passed during the current session.
“In exercise of the powers vested in me as Chief Whip of the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP), all members of the Party in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly are hereby strictly directed to remain present in the Assembly on 24th October, 2025, the date fixed for polling of the Rajya Sabha elections,” PDP, MLA Fayaz Mir said.
He asked the legislators to cast their vote in favour of the official candidates of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, as decided by the party and asked them to refrain from abstaining, remaining absent, or voting in a manner contrary to the directions issued by the party.
“Any violation of this Whip will be treated as a breach of Party discipline and attract necessary action under relevant provisions,” he said. (KNO)
Cong-PDP back NC
